말보다 말씀! 빚보다 빛!

[Key Bible Verse] Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. (2 Kings 2:8-9)

[Our Story] What were your elementary school sports days like? In Korea, a sports day isn't just an event for children—it's a festival for the whole neighborhood. Parents don't just watch; they take part in their children’s games. It’s also a chance for them to show off their hidden athletic skills. But the real highlight of the sports day comes at the end: the neighborhood relay race. Each neighborhood sends its fastest runners to compete. For many of the adults, this might be the moment they’ve been waiting for all day. You can tell just by looking at them—they show up with serious faces, no hint of a smile. Some stretch dramatically, even doing splits or jumping in place to loosen up their tense bodies. Even the little kids watching on the sidelines seem nervous. The neighborhood dogs bark louder than usual, as if they too are choosing sides and cheering. The referee gives a quick but strict explanation of the rules—past events have occasionally turned into neighborhood disputes due to rule violations. At last, the runners line up at the starting line. A gunshot marks the beginning, and they sprint with all their strength, carrying the honor of their neighborhoods on their shoulders. At first, everyone runs at a similar pace. But there’s one critical moment that often determines the outcome—the baton pass. If someone drops the baton while handing it off to the next runner, the team quickly falls behind. In most cases, the team that handles the baton well ends up winning. That’s why the baton pass is so important.

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[Bible Story] 2 Kings chapters 1 and 2 depict the powerful moment when the prophet Elijah passes the baton to his disciple Elisha—a natural and spiritual transition in God’s work. This happens during the reign of Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, who became king after his father’s death. Like his father, Ahaziah fell into idolatry (2 Kings 1). Elijah delivered a message of judgment from God to King Ahaziah, but the king refused to repent. Instead, he sent soldiers to capture Elijah. Twice, fire came down from heaven and consumed fifty men each time. Yet Ahaziah sent a third group. This time, the captain begged Elijah to spare their lives. Obeying God’s instruction, Elijah went with them to the king and once again proclaimed God's judgment. After this, Elijah prepares to hand over his ministry to Elisha (2 Kings 2). As they part ways, Elijah strikes the Jordan River with his cloak, and the waters divide. Elisha asks to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, and Elisha picks up Elijah’s cloak—the symbol of prophetic authority. Then, in a powerful affirmation of his calling, Elisha strikes the Jordan with the cloak and parts the waters, just as Elijah had done. This is a spiritual baton pass that is both natural and deeply powerful. Elisha immediately steps into his prophetic ministry: he purifies the bad water with salt, and he brings judgment upon the youths who mocked God and His servant. Elijah’s spirit now rests on Elisha—an unmistakable and divine transfer of calling.

[Your Story] Do you have a spiritual inheritance to pass on to your children? Are you making intentional efforts to pass down faith from one generation to the next? It’s important to pass on physical strength and abilities to our children. And we must continually strive to set an example of good character for them. But there is something even more important that we must work even harder to pass down—a legacy of faith. We are called to hand down the life-giving heritage of faith—Jesus Christ Himself. The cross of Jesus Christ is love and resurrection.

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”— Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Copyrightⓒ 2025 by Hyung Joong Kim